I'm so excited that on 26 April 2026, I'll be running the London Marathon for Hospice UK!

I'm running in memory of my amazing grandma, Janet. Grandma was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2025 and passed away on 31 May at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher.

My sister, Charlie, and I were both so close to Grandma. Growing up, there were always two bottles of our favourite Apple & Elderflower juice in her fridge - labelled C and B for the avoidance of arguments! She was there to pick us up from primary school, and she was there to pick me up from my A-Level Politics exam when I was crying my eyes out, convinced I'd failed. When I got too anxious on my college lunch breaks, I'd go across the road to the Horsham Hospital Tea Bar and sit with her and her friends whilst they volunteered.

It was through Grandma (and Mum!) that I got my love of gardening, art and crafting. She was amazing at sewing, knitting, drawing and painting; I still wear the mittens she made me every winter. Grandma was always at the end of the phone whenever I called, and we could chat away for hours about anything and everything. She was the last one standing at any party, and practically unbeatable in a game of Pick-Up Sticks.

I think she'd find it very amusing that the same girl who once sat on a bench with her, having a screaming tantrum about how much she HATED walking (in the middle of a family hike in Freycinet National Park), is now running a marathon! But I know she'd be very proud. I was so lucky to have her for 28 years; I miss her every day.

The support from the hospice was invaluable to Grandma and our family during her illness. Their care and advice meant she was able to stay at home for as long as she felt comfortable, before transferring into the hospice. Throughout her time with them, Grandma was looked after with such kindness and respect by all the staff and volunteers. They are incredible at what they do, and some of the most compassionate people I have ever met.

Hospice UK fights for hospice care for all who need it. As the national champion for hospices, they support over 200 hospices across the UK, helping them deliver care to 310,000 people each year. But hospices are underfunded and under immense pressure. It costs £1.8 billion a year to run the hospices in the UK, and they receive just £0.5 billion in government funding. Every year, they must raise over £1.3 billion through fundraising – of which my marathon will play a small but vital part!

Hospice care has been so important for my family during some of our most challenging times. It's a huge privilege to run the London Marathon in support of Hospice UK and to raise money for a cause so close to my heart.

Thank you so much for all your generous donations!